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<br />002HO <br /> <br />-3- <br /> <br />into the national wild and scenic river system. Apparently, however, <br />eleven of the twelve (excepting the Big Thompson) will be favorably recom- <br />mended for designation, If approved, Colorado, with 598 river miles, would <br />lead the nation in wild and scenic rivers. <br /> <br />. <br />Comprehensive Water Resource Planning <br />This review was made to evaluate a study produced for Wild and Scenic <br />River designation for its adequacy as a comprehensive water resource planning <br />base; that is, does it contain sufficient factual information to support the <br />commitment of a river to wild and scenic designation in the face of other <br />potential and competing uses. <br />Federal water planning is guided by statutory requirements to be met <br />which are specified in several Congressional Acts and guidelines which have <br />been adopted therefrom. Foremost is the Water Resources Planning Act of <br />1965 (P.L. 89-80) and associated Principles and Standards for Planning Water <br />and Land-Related Resources. The list of federal activities covered by the <br />P and S includes "\~ild, Scenic and Recreation Rivers," and requires that <br />"comparisons are to be made with development alternatives which would be <br />precl uded by preserving these areas." Other P and S requirements spell out <br />the formulation of alternatives and their evaluation in forms of contributions <br />to national economic development and environmental quality. <br />The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (P.L. 91-190) requires <br />every proposal for major federal action to "",study, develop and describe <br />appropriate alternatives to recommended action which involves unresolved <br />conflicts concerning alternative uses of available resources," Pertinent CEQ <br />regulations and procedures require "rigorous and objective evaluation of all <br />reasonable alternatives." <br /> <br />Cache la Poudre Case <br />The Cache la Poudre was one of the twelve Colorado rivers studied for <br />inclusion. An interagency team was organized for the study by the U, S. <br />Forest Service to assist in "collecting, analyzing, and evaluating social, <br />economic, and resource data," The 1980 Draft Environmental Impact Statement <br />and Study Report (DEIS/SR) is the culmination of this joint study by the <br />Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, and the Colorado Water Conservation <br />Board. <br />The DEIS/SR was reviewed for its conformity with the foregoing Federal <br />